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Choosing a daycare is an important decision for any parent. Many wish they didn’t have to make the decision at all and put it off until after the baby is born. This is a mistake. Even if you are hoping to be able to stay home with your child, it is wise to look into childcare early in your pregnancy even if you may be lucky enough not to need it. The good daycare centers and home providers have long waiting lists, often six months or more. If you wait until after the baby is born, you are likely to only have six weeks or three months if you are lucky before you must return to work and entrust your child to someone else. To get the best care possible, plan ahead and do your homework.
Full-time or Part-time
If you are lucky enough to only need part-time care, make sure the center or provider you choose has that option. Unfortunately many providers will only offer full-time care because it keeps scheduling and bookkeeping easier. If you are not sure which you will need, try to find a provider that offers both as once your child is enrolled, it’s best not to make too many upsetting changes. Also weigh in finances carefully for part-time care. If you count how much your added income takes out in taxes from the income of your spouse, you might find you are actually losing money by working. Don’t forget to add in the expenses of car insurance, working wardrobe, dry cleaning, and convenience foods.
Home or Center
Certainly for a younger infant, the advantages of having someone come to your home are enormous. For the first year of life the immune system is immature and exposure to germs can cause multiple ear infections and enough illness to delay development. While this is not usually a problem and most children catch up long before they reach school age, it is something to consider when seeking care.
Perhaps you are very lucky and grandma may be available to sit with your child. Do consider this carefully and talk openly how the arrangement should work and what your expectations are. Parenting has changed over the years. Be ready for a back up plan as well. Grandma may be quite enthusiastic. But she might also not remember just how tiring watching and infant can be.
If there is a nanny agency in your area, take advantage of their service and arrange some interviews. Ask about their screening process and what training their employees receive. If you do find someone you really like, try to have them start a week or two before you go back to work so they can learn your routine and baby can get to know them for short periods of time. Perhaps you can run errands and get organized that first week.
If you live in an area where there are no nanny services or babysitter listings, then you may want to consider a center. Many centers keep a separate area for infants and do quite well in their care. A daycare center has the added advantage of safety in numbers. With more than one adult in the room there is a sort of checks and balances and perhaps less chance of problems developing.
What to Look for in a Center
Are the caregivers loving and nurturing? Will they provide emotional support for your child?
What is the turnover rate of employees? Remember that your child will form an attachment with his or her teachers. Having a new teacher every month can be upsetting and destructive to a child’s development.
Is the center licensed with the state you live in? Make sure they are compliant with all regulations including adult to child ratio and how they handle diaper changes, etc. Most centers will go above and beyond state regulations. But there are, of course, a few that do not. Check to see if there have been any complaints against the center. And do drop in unannounced a few times.
Do the teachers have advanced training? A good center will employ people with training in child development or education.
Is the environment clean, safe, and child-friendly? Look closely for hazards such as peeling paint.
Do you feel supported as a working parent? Not only does your child need to get along with the daycare provider, but you do as well.
Choosing a daycare can be a difficult decision for a parent. But it is a decision that should not be put off or taken lightly. Check out your options carefully. Talk to friends for recommendations and once you do decide, continue to be involved by dropping in from time to time- have lunch with your child and make your presence felt. A good care provider will welcome parent involvement and not discourage it.
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